Growing into maturity isn’t as hard as you may think! God has supplied all you need to grow in Christ!
We’ve already covered some vital aspects, including:
Below are the study notes from the fourth lesson of In Christ Vol 1, “Spiritual Maturity.” The audio file and the video link are included so you can follow along and learn about how to grow in Christ Jesus.
The Goal of Spiritual Growth
Being born again positions us in Christ, but that is just the beginning of a process. The believer is supposed to grow and develop spiritually.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (AMPC)
1 However, brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual [men], but as to nonspiritual [men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates], as to mere infants [in the new life] in Christ [unable to talk yet!]
2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough [to be ready for it]; but even yet you are not strong enough [to be ready for it],
3 For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?
- They were not able to bear the meat of the Word. They needed milk.
- Evidence of carnality is the presence of envy, strife, and divisions.
- Evidence of maturity is the ability to live above those things.
- The diet of the Word of God will cause us to grow.
Teaching the Word Regularly
To provide a steady diet of the Word, Jesus taught and preached the Word of God.
Matthew 9:35
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
The power to establish a Christian is in the Gospel.
Romans 16:25-26
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Maturity Characteristics
Esteeming Earthly Things Lightly – You cannot put earthly things above spiritual things and mature spiritually.
Hebrews 11:24-26
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Deadness to Censure or Praise – Don’t be discouraged by the censure of others, and don’t be puffed up by the praise of others. not easily puffed up; not fretful or resentful. Instead, be governed by the law of love.
1 Corinthians 4:3-4
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Ability to See God at Work– Joseph had the dream about God’s plan. When the day came that his brothers bowed before him, he saw that God had worked the plan despite what others had intended.
Genesis 45:5-7
5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
The New Life in Christ Is Ours Legally
What Jesus has accomplished in our redemption belongs to us legally. Faith enables us to access the legal provision and live in it.
We have three action steps to help us operate in our new life in Christ.
#1 Reckoning (to count, esteem, or consider)
Romans 6:11
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
#2 Acknowledging (a full or thorough knowledge, discernment, or recognition)
Philemon 1:6
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
#3 Walking (denotes daily activity)
Colossians 1:10-11
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
Study Questions
1. What is the evidence of carnality listed in 1 Corinthians 3:3? Describe the evidence of maturity.
2. How important do you think it is to develop a habit of hearing or “feeding” on the Word that is taught or preached in the local church? Explain.
3. Describe the characteristics of maturity and give a personal or biblical example of each.
- a. Esteeming Earthly Things Lightly
- b. Deadness to Censure and Praise
- c. The Ability to See God at Work
4. Make a list of things you can “acknowledge” about who you are in Christ.
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